Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 6sp. to auto conversion successful!!!

[Gizmo 007]

A while back I posted about converting my 6 speed to an auto. Well, I found someone willing to trade, and we finally met up and started the project. After gathering input from members here, and speaking with Bill K. at DTT, we felt we had enough info to go on.



Friday morning (Dec 6), we began the project. 21 hours later, we had the transmissions and computers transplanted into each other's trucks, and were able to make sure that the trucks would at least start. Saturday around noon, we got the driveshafts back from the shop (had to change the length), and were able to finally test the trucks. The truck that now has the 6 speed was the first to be tested. It drove flawlessly (after we remembered to fill it up with water ) We drove into town, picked up a case of ATF, and filled my transmission so we could test my truck.



Note to self at this point: Double check all cooler lines before driving truck! Failure to do so will result in a stream of ATF that covers everything in sight!



After that little snaffu, I refilled the transmission, tightened the cooler lines, and retested. Truck drove like a champ. A little too well actually. That's another story, and involves a cop and a speeding Dodge Ram... .



All in all, it was worth it. Not to say I'd ever do it again, but for my situation, things went well. As soon as the transmission gets upgraded (jan-feb) I'll update ya'll on the progress.



I'd also like to thank everyone for their help / comments!

 

[JLinder]

Glad to hear it worked out

How about some details of the swap. Like what parts did you have to find, what all did you have to swap between trucks? Any unexpected snags you ran into?





Thanks

 

[BFC]

Good job Kris! I still think it was nuts but looks like it worked out well. That's a hell of a project, glad I had the right transmission from the start



Glenn

 

[Gizmo 007]

Hehe, well, the swap took the whole weekend. About 34 hours all together. We had two 2001 trucks parked nose to nose in the shop. His had an auto, mine had the 6 speed. Everything we needed to make the swap was on the trucks.



We just had to change trucks with several key components:

Transmissions

Cooler lines moved to my truck

Air to oil and Water to oil coolers moved to my truck (with various fittings)

ECM and PCMs had to be swapped

Throttle Position Sensor

Pedals had to be swapped

Steering columns (swap key switch assemblies in columns)

Flywheel and Flex plate

Front drive shafts

Dash display (guage assembly)

Auto shifter assembly

Main wiring harness along firewall

Had to lengthen my rear driveshaft, and shorten his. The 6 speed it 5 inches longer than the auto. We couldn't swap rear driveshafts, cause my truck is a LWB, his was a SWB.



Unexpected snags:

The floor on his truck was solid, we had to cut the hole for the shift tower (no punch plate). No biggie.

Be sure to completely drain the auto transmission before removal (I didn't and got drenched in ATF.

Never assume that something is tight. It usually isn't.

If you feel like you forgot a bolt, you probably did.

If you have spare parts, you've just screwed up.



Other than that, things went well. I'll be glad to answer any and all questions. JLinder, If there's something I didn't answer, let me know. I'll try me best.

 

[CATCRACKER]

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS:--) WHAT A PROJECT..... COOL

 

[Hohn]

success

Success is in the eye of the beholder. For me, swapping out a 6-speed would be a loss indeed.



The DTT stuff is so good that even *I* might be convinced to go auto though



Congrats on completing a real tough install. I know you guys will be happy with the results on both ends.



HOHN

 

[JLinder]

Thanks for the info Gizmo, the DTT stuff is so cool I've really been thinking about the swap... Just need to find somebody close by that wants to go the other way.

 

[sag2]

Just a reminder for any others thinking about the same swap. If one or both of the trucks had SKIM key (anti theft), and you changed the PCM from one truck to the other, the results would have been disastrous. As soon as you tried to start the trucks, they would have died and rendered the PCM(s) useless. These two guys were very lucky.

As it stands, both of their trucks now have the wrong Vin stored in the PCM, and you cannot change them. This does not have any implications now, but may in the future if any service is done by the dealer. This is especially true if they have to flash the PCM for any reason, (TSB or recall)

With all the electronics, it is getting very difficult to swap parts these days. Isn't progress great!!!!

 

[parcher]

Gizmo 007, When you said you were going to do this I strongly advised against it as I thought you were getting in over your head. I WAS WRONG, you have pulled off a swap that I would not have tackled (mainly for the electronics, vin and such). I'm not sure you won't run into problems later, but for now you are the MAN!

 

[willyslover]

hummmm ETH for ETC. . you had no Injector pump issues ??

 

[Gizmo 007]

BFC: yep, i'm nuts ! But I love it! Hell of a project... understatement of the year



Parcher: about half way through the swap, I thought about your post... but by then it was too late to go back



Willyslover: It hazes a little for about 30 seconds after I start up. Other than that, it works just as it did before. The biggest problem I have is the ABS and Brake light are on now. Didn't like the ABS system on my truck anyway.



Sag2: Could you give me more info on the SKIM key? I never even thought about that possibility ! We must have been REALLY lucky! We knew about the VIN # difference. With both trucks being the same year model (assembled two months apart), shouldn't they need / require the same flashes as far as the engine is concerned? You've really got me curious now. Anything else I may need to do?



Thanks

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Great job Gizmo!



As for those poor souls who have trouble keeping the ETH, ETC & DEE codes straight, your signature will really screw 'em up

 

[Big White Beast]

sag2.......

They can program in the VIN for the swap. I put a Federal PCM in my truck to avoid the codes after the transmission upgrades. Took it to the stealer and they programed it right in along with the latest updates.



Gizmo 007..... The name is fitting. I couldn't even imagine taking on a project like that. Although I am going to swap out the drums in the rear with 02 OEM discs. I did find a DC tech that is willing to help me with that one though.



Garrett

 

[KcoleKennyc]

Wow! How much did you guys have to drink the day you made the decision to do this swap???

 

[Gizmo 007]

Originally posted by kcole

Wow! How much did you guys have to drink the day you made the decision to do this swap???

Not enough !



Vaughn, at least my ETH / AUTO combination is very unique. I've never heard of it before .



Garrett, being that I work on anything from alchohol burning R/C cars, to excavators that could reach over and around a house, I figured a transmission swap couldn't be that bad... I really had to think twice about that one

 

[Chipstien]

Unbelievable..... Great job Gizmo.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Sounds more like an unbelievable pain in the butt, Good on you Kris for doing the job.



Jim

 

[Mopar-muscle]

wow , good job .



i'm, surprised either is working with the engine differences .



were the mileages of the trucks close ?



you need to find a friendly dodge tech with weekend access to a DRB to fix you guys up ...

 

[sag2]

The skim key is an anti theft device. If you have it, there is a round receiver around the key cylinder. The head of the key has a chip that sends a signal out to the receiver and it in turn sends the information to the SKIM module. The SKIM then tells the PCM to let the vehicle start. If the key does not match the info in the SKIM module, it will start and die, then usually just crank. If you ever loose a SKIM key, you have to get it programed by the dealer. And the key blanks are close to $40. 00.

Look in your owners manual. It might have a section on self programing them (but only if you have two good keys), otherwise it is a trip to the dealer. Plug in a PCM from a SKIM to non SKIM, or vice versa, and you have a junk PCM.

DC has used it in most vehicles for several years now. Most other manufacturers have something very similar.

The easy and cheap way to tell if you have it, is go to the hardware store and get a standard key cut. If it starts the truck you don't have SKIM. If no start, just hold your good key right up next to the new one and it will start.

 

[drice]

chris

why don't you tell the story about the police can you say LUCKY





I feel for ANYONE taht got behind you on your way home I followed you for abotu 20 miles and I had to scrub teh film off of my window the next day when it rained





Good job buddy lets go to the track